Bath-brush.



No. 719,596. PATBNTED FEB. 3, 1903.

L. LAUTERBACH;

BATH BRUSH. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 9, 1901. RENEWED D110. 8, 1902.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LUDWVIG LAUTERBACH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

BATH-BRUSH. 1

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,596, dated February 3, 1903.

' Application filed December 9, 1901. Renewed December 8, 1902- Serial No. 134,438. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LUDWIG LAUTERBACH, a citizen of Austria-Hungary, and a resident of New York city, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bath-Brushes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a bath-brush having a rubbing-surface which is so constructed that it will retain the moisture for an increased length of time and will give it off as it may be required.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved bath-brush, and Fig. 2 a central section through the head of the brush.

The letter Ct represents a rounded and flattened head grooved at its rear face, as at a, and secured to one end of a handle b. This handle is made of concavo-convex shape and of a length to permit the bather' to conveniently reach and massage his back. Upon the front of the head a is placed an inner layer of sponge c, which is surrounded and confined by an outer layer of luffa d in contact with the sponge. Both the sponge and the luffa are secured to the same side of the head a, the outer surface of the sponge being in contact with the inner surface of the luffa. The luffa d extends around the entire head a and is held thereto by a rubber cap e, fitted upon the end of the handle and having reinforced or beaded ends e. One of these beads presses the luffa into the rear groove ct of head a, while the other bead closes tightly against the handle 19. In this way the layers 0 and d are securely held to the head a and a tight joint or packing is formed around the handle.

In use the brush is dipped into the water and the bather can now massage his back in a very agreeable manner. The lufia forms a very desirable rubbing-body of such a consistency as to instigate a free circulation of the blood; but it gives off its water rapidly and then becomes so dry and hard as to become irritating, thus necessitating frequent steeping. By backing the luffa with a layer of sponge I not only obtain an agreeable flexible cushion, but I provide means for storing a body of water directly next to the rear face of the luffa. Thus the slighest pressure will cause the water to flow from the sponge into the luifa, so that the latter remains moist and pliable for a very long time. The result is that my improved bath-brush when once well dipped will retain its moisture and will give it off in proportion to the pressure applied, so that a very pleasant massage treatment may be carried out.

What I claim is A bath-brush provided with a head, an in ner layer of sponge, and an outer layer of luifa, both being mounted upon the same side of the head, and the outer surface of the sponge being in contact with the inner surface of the lufia, substantially as specified.

Signed by me at New York city, county and State of New York, this 7th day of December, 1901.

LUDWIG LAUTERBACH.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM SOHULZ, F. v. BRIESEN. 

